What Is ANRC?

ANRC is an affiliate of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and an educational partner of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The primary goal of ANRC is to promote the American System of Forward Riding and to promote the highest quality of educated riding and related services within schools, colleges, universities, and public or private riding establishments. Each year ANRC offers:

Instructional riding clinics

The ANRC National Equitation Championships to enhance the collegiate, junior, and adult amateur riding experience

A DVD series that provides a step-by-step guide on how to implement forward riding concepts for both horse and rider

Opportunities to work with other organizations whose purposes are in accord with those of the ANRC

ANRC competitive programs focus on developing excellence in riding skills, knowledge of riding theory, and the horse’s performance. ANRC educational materials provide visual representations of good performances, as well as specific programs and schooling techniques for the rider to follow. The DVD series, “The American System of Forward Riding: Life Lessons Learned with Horses”was produced by R. Scot Evans and Shelby French to guide the rider through the American System of Forward Riding. This resource as well as other resources are available for purchase in the ANRC online store.

The ANRC National Equitation Championships, traditionally held in April, is an invitational competition for collegiate, junior, and adult amateur teams that pay an annual ANRC membership fee. Each group is judged separately. In each championship, teams may compete in a 3′ or 2’6 division. The competition is judged and scored on equitation skills and sound horsemanship practices in four phases:

An Equitation Derby Course (natural jumps in a field) worth 30% of the total score

A Written test based on riding theory and a selected stable management topic worth 5% of the total score

Photos: Giana Terranova Photography

Participants may compete on a school-owned horse, a leased horse, or a privately owned horse. The highest score in each phase will be awarded to the rider who demonstrates excellence in equitation and produces a smooth, cooperative performance exemplifying quality hunter movement both on the flat and over fences. Throughout the year, coaches are encouraged to incorporate forward riding theory and sound stable management practices to improve the rider’s mounted and unmounted horsemanship skills. Students are encouraged to set personal goals as well as team goals, study ANRC materials, practice fundamentals, and apply knowledge.

Established in 2006, ANRC fosters the mission of the former Affiliated National Riding Commission, which existed as part of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) for more than 60 years. ANRC’s educational system is based on the teachings of Captain Vladimir Littauer, who came to the United States in the thirties and established a riding school and is author of the book Commonsense Horsemanship. His progressive forward riding system influenced many professional riders and trainers, including Jane Dillon, George Morris, Joe Fargis, Lendon Gray, Pam Baker, and Bernie Traurig.

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Piedmont Point-to-Point 3/23/19
Winner of the Foxhunters Timber Race. "Rocking Allen" ridden by Sam Cockburn. End of the takeoff (double engagement of hind legs). Good use of the head and neck and following hand of the rider. Mechanics of the jump are the same for hunters, jumpers, and timber horses. ... See more

Quality horse performance beginning the flight phase of the jump. Note his folding evenly above the horizontal with an excellent and full balancing gesture of the head and neck. In the past, we would have said the horse is "snapping his back" or "rounding his back" when in fact it's the rounded balancing gesture of the head and neck.
Rider, Tori Colvin, "Private Practice."
Photographer, Kimberly Loushin. The Chronicle of the Horse August 5&12, 2019 ... See more